:: Catching up... & saying goodbye.

In the past several weeks, I have started a journal post many times… but each time it has been put aside. Why I wasn’t following through - I still can’t put my finger on, but I’ve decided just to start fresh and so here I am. Compared to what I post, you’d be surprised how much I ‘compose’ posts in my head, but it’s always while I’m in the midst of doing something else… out in the garden, working on new fabric designs (& I can’t share!), or on a walk with Emmie…So, I think about you so much more than I show… really!

I realized that I need to literally make a time each week to communicate here - & to quit wondering if anyone will care about what I share. So that’s my plan. Some weeks, I hope it will be full of new, fun things, but I know there will be weeks when I’m working on things I can’t share for often a months or even a year ahead. That is when it’s so hard to write posts (!) - but I promise to try.

To bring things up to date - my latest fabric collection Ellie is now at the mill. (Ellie is scheduled to arrive in shops in October.)  I’m also told the strike-offs for the next collection should be arriving soon & so I’m looking forward to seeing them. It’s always a little bit of a hold-your-breath feeling until they arrive. Thankfully the design team at Moda will see them first, & if there are ‘tweaks’ that need to be made - they give you a little heads-up before the arrive on my front porch. 

I also want to say a great-big “thank you!” to everyone who shopped the fabric sale I had on the website… Wow folks! You kept me so very busy for many days! I love all the fabrics that I had held onto (many for so long!) - but I’m so happy they have found new homes with many of you!

Next up will be some bundles that I’ve been keeping… & I’ll let you know when I’ll be getting all of those ready.

For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been keeping myself very busy in the backyard garden, installing some new drip irrigation lines… before the summer temperatures arrive. It’s also kept my mind occupied & that has been a blessing.  On the evening of May 7, I received a phone call from my niece letting me know that my sister, Marsha had passed away. We knew she was dealing with so many health issues (all complicated by her type 1 diabetes), but she was always such a champion. She continually rose above her struggles & was always joyful in each day she was given. But this was her time. She had become more fragile over the past few months & was having a harder time overcoming her struggles. A few years ago, she had a big scare - as she went into ketoacidosis  & went into a coma, as well as several other medical issues all happening at the same time. She miraculously survived & since then we spoke a lot on the phone, often daily. I treasure each & every one of those conversations. 

She loved the streaming television series, ‘The Chosen’, & we always had wonderful conversations about how much more real this series has made Jesus to us. After her coma a couple of years ago, she shared that she wasn’t sure if she was dreaming, but she knows that she was walking with who she knew was Jesus, but she was just behind his shoulder & couldn’t see his face. She remembers that she felt so comfortable, & at peace, but He gently told her it wasn’t time… not yet.  She still couldn’t see his face… & when she woke, she could remember it so clearly. We laughed when I said that maybe she couldn’t see his face because if he didn’t look like Jonathan Roumie, (the actor that portrays Jesus in ‘The Chosen’) - she might have been disappointed!! :-)   We giggled at that many times since, but I know that as she left this earth, into the presence of our Savior, what the actor that portrays Jesus looks like was forgotten. She was in Jesus’ presence… face-to-face.  I smile when I think of that now & while it’s bittersweet, I’m so joyful in knowing she is eternally in His sweet comfort & peace, & that we will be reunited someday. I so miss our phone calls, & listening to her share about her days & her ten grandchildren. As she shared about how she felt knowing her time here on earth could end at any time, for her she always said it was a, “Win - Win”.

This is one of my favorite photos of Marsha (With Dad, in prayer, at one of her daughters' weddings.) 

I miss you Marsh… Hug Mom & Dad for me.

  ♥ 

:: Introducing - 'Ellie'

 Whoosh….! My goodness these last 2 months have gone by so fast! 

I did have a fabric deadline… & I am currently finishing up writing directions for new patterns for my ‘Ellie’ fabric collection… (& pattern writing was delayed because of the new fabric collection deadline… & I didn’t plan ahead enough!) So, while I’ve been thinking about what I wanted to post - it’s been staying on the back burner. But - I’m finally sitting myself down & I’m hoping I don’t ramble on too much!

First, I want to introduce my latest fabric collection, ‘Ellie’. ‘Ellie’ is currently being shown to quilt shop owners & it is scheduled to ship mid-late October 2023.

 

I have had so much fun with ‘Ellie’! Here’s what I wrote about 'Ellie' for the Moda catalogue.

“Making a home surrounded by flower gardens and cozy soft colors is what brings me such joy. No matter where you might live, being able to bring some that softness into our daily lives is a way of taking a deep breath, of welcoming tranquility and comfort.

With a fresh color palette that you can mix for seasonal quilts & projects, or including all the color families for a scrappy garden of colors, ‘Ellie’ envelops these airy, fresh, cozy feels for your home, and to share with those you love. Take a deep breath & welcome Ellie into your home!’

Last fall, when I made my choices & gave the approval for the ‘Ellie’ strike-offs - I knew what I wanted to do for patterns right away. I knew that I wanted to do another appliqué design (it’s been awhile!), & I knew I wanted to keep all the designs very fresh & classic… & so here are the new patterns… 

Felicity - 

I honestly can’t decide if I like the light or pebble background better. I love them both. 

I made the border pieced - so that once all the appliqué is complete - you can complete the quilt so much faster. I was inspired by the striping that you find on French toweling for the border design. I just love her!  Felicity measures 51” x 51.

Ellie - 

This quilt design is in celebration of the flowers that I love being surrounded in. I made Ellie in two sizes - so that you can make it a coverlet size (84” x 84”)  - or a throw / table topper size (66” x 66”).  (The block size is the same - the large size is made larger with the addition of a border.)   Pick the colors you love to make this design custom for you!

Sojourn - 

The block I used in Sojourn is one of the vintage blocks that I have seen in books that focus on vintage quilts. These kind of quilts are the ones that really stir my heart. I honestly want to make all of them, & have a selection of these classic, simple designs. They make for wonderful quilts that can be used in home decor - & compliment so many different styles. That’s why they are such classic.

The original vintage quilt was a two color quilt - & so while I designed a scrappy version, featuring the ‘Ellie’ fabrics - I couldn’t help but also include the two-color versions… this time in pebble & green. Again… I love them all.

Fair Meadow

You may recognize this design! Many (many) years ago (in my first year designing quilts!), I designed a quilt called Meadow. I re-released the pattern, with a mini-version with my ‘Ambleside’ fabric collection (9 years ago now) - & over the years, I have received many requests for it to be larger… so was borne - Fair Meadow. 

Fair meadow does have appliqué on the borders - but I use the fusible, machine stitched technique that makes it much easier than it might look. This version is square & will work as a larger throw or coverlet.  Fair Meadow measures 76” x 76”

Garden Path

The design for Garden Path came from just that… a garden path!  I took a photo of a path done in stonework that wound through a garden because I couldn’t stop looking at… it fascinated me! So, I played around with it - & figured out how to re-create it in fabric. Because the path was made up from multiple colors & shades of stone, I used a fat quarter bundle for mine - keeping the scrappy look. (I also think it could be done with a more subtle tonal palette & it would look wonderful too!)  Garden Path measures 76” x 76”.

The new patterns will be available on the website in about a week… & as a thank you for your support - for the first week they will be 20% off.

Also… on the website you can pre-order some of the ‘Ellie’ pre-cuts. The pre-orders will only be up for a limited time, as I will be using the pre-order numbers as a guide for when I place my order. So, check with your local quilt shop to see if they will have 'Ellie' for you - & for those of you who don't have a local shop - I'm happy to make sure you can get your 'Ellie'!

I’m thinking about kitting a couple of the quilts & I'm still deciding - so if there are any of the new quilts that you would like as a kit - let me know!

Thanks so much folks…  I know that it can be a little frustrating to be shown things that aren’t available yet… (& trust me I get it - I have to keep everything a secret for about a year!) … but I hope you enjoy getting some peeks at what’s coming soon…

… & if it’s anything like the first 3 months of this year… ‘Ellie’ will be here before you know it!

♥  Bren

:: The Human Heart...

 (This is a long post - I know… but it’s from my heart & I hope it blesses you.)

What a week this has been. 

Design-wise I’ve had a bunch of fun working on quilt designs for my next fabric collection (making its debut in March), & I’m so excited to (finally) have a new appliqué quilt to share with you! (…soon!)

In the midst of all the designing (i.e. playing with new fabrics!) - I’ve also been making plans for some new things for the website that I’m very excited about. UPS has been delivering some special boxes for some very special items that I’ve been collecting just for you! (Sorry… I know some of you don’t like the ‘tease’!) So, as soon as I complete some design deadlines - then I’ll be able to work on the new items… but for now - I’ve made shipping free for US customers! Use the discount code FREESHIP at checkout & we will cover the shipping!  (For international shipping - please see the shipping info page for how we’re handling international shipping these days.)

At the beginning of the week, after being in the studio all day - to the accompaniment of movies on DVD… I decided to check the news to find that everyone was covering the events of what had just happened on Monday Night Football. There was a player down on the field & while I’m not a big football fan, what I observed grabbed my heart & brought tears to my eyes & I prayed.

Damar Hamlin, a 24 year old 'safety' on the Buffalo Bills football team, had just completed what was referred to as a ‘routine’ tackle of a player on the rival team, the Cincinnati Bengals. Damar sprung up after the tackle, seeming fine, but within seconds he fell backwards & lay motionless on the filed. 

He suffered a cardiac arrest & his heart had stopped.

The teams trainers,  EMTs (Emergency Medical Team) sprang into action, & administered CPR & had to use a defibrillator to re-start his heart. While all those out on the field have seen players be injured on the field & need medical assistance - nothing like that had ever happened on a football field… & it shook everyone.

To their knees.

All over the field, great big men in football gear were crying openly & holding each other up, joining hands, & kneeling with their heads bowed in prayer. As the ambulance took Damar - in critical condition - off the field, the team was gathered on a huge circle, heads bowed, & praying.

The next day, I tuned into ESPN (a sports channel) to see if there were any updates - & one of their broadcasters, Dan Orlovsky - a former football player, stopped & prayed, on-air, for Damar & his family. (You can also watch it here.) 

At a time when I’ve been hesitant to even turn on news - because of how bizarre & seemingly out-of-control things are these days, it was such a blessing to see that when it really comes down to it… we know, in our hearts, what is really important & where to turn for what we really need.

I received an email yesterday with this post, written by Russ Barksdale, attached to it, & it says so clearly what has been so clearly demonstrated this week, & I wanted to share it with you. Please note that it was written the Monday evening when this happened… but the truth is timeless.

“I’ve been playing and watching football for 60+ years. I’ve never seen what I saw tonight. Damar Hamlin, safety for the Buffalo Bills, made a tackle—and may not live. I don’t know Damar personally. Actually never heard of him. But I found myself glued to the TV praying for him that somehow God would intervene and save his life. As of this writing (9:55 p.m. CST), he is in critical condition in a Cincinnati hospital.

“What was demonstrably visible after his injury were the reactions of players, coaches, announcers, and fans. While the EMTs and other health professionals worked feverishly on him, at times ‘vigorously administering’ CPR, players and coaches on both sides reacted in various ways: shock, tears, disbelief, and silence. The crowd also watched in hushed tones as the drama played out in the middle of the field. Announcers began to use words like ‘well-wishes’ and other terms of concern.

“But notably, the one word and the one action that was most observable was in reference to—wait for it—prayer. Many of the players got on their knees and were visibly seen praying. Coaches called their players together to take a knee and pray for Damar, as well they should. 

“Solomon wrote, ‘He (God) has also put eternity in their (human’s) hearts’ (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Another translation puts it this way: ‘He has planted eternity in the human heart’ (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT).

“When tragedy strikes, something in us looks upward to find answers, to find help, to find hope, to find courage. This occurs in Christ-followers and those who don’t know Christ. It happens among Hindus, Muslims, Jews, agnostics, and atheists. We instinctively, even if only for a few moments, look to something, someone who is beyond us. Years ago, I heard the statement, ‘There are no atheists in foxholes.’

“Solomon said it right: God has placed eternity on our hearts. EVERY human being senses that there is something beyond this reality. The Bible clearly reveals that the something is someone.

“The God who created all that is, the God who did not abandon us in our brokenness and weakness, the God who entered into our reality and took on our fleshly likeness, the God who sacrificed Himself to atone for & pay for our sinful nature, the God who promises to work everything out for good, the God who enters our being and gives us hope and strength to get through, the God who promises that one day all things will make sense, the God who promises to one day right every wrong, the God who promises to do away with any need for tears and grief—that God is the One who put eternity on our hearts.

“Stop denying Him. Stop fighting Him. Stop refusing Him access to your life. Turn to Him and find healing, help, and hope. He made you to do just that.”

 

As I write my post, it’s Sunday afternoon, Damar Hamlin, while still in intensive care has made, according to his doctors, amazing progress. He has a long road ahead of him, but he has made it clear though a social media post - that he knows that while he would like to be with his teammates playing on the football field, he knows that, “God (is) using me in a different way today”. He sure is.

(… & as a cherry on top of all of this… Damar Hamlin had created a Go-Fund-Me page for a children’s toy drive that he had set a modest goal of $2,500 for. As of this morning - people have donated over $8.5 million dollars.)  What an amazing statement of love.

In these worrisome days… this is just what all our hurting hearts needed to witness. I know I have been filled with such hope & thankfulness this week.

Blessings, 

♥  Bren

:: Social Media & Me...

Before I get going on this post, I want to say THANK YOU (!) to everyone who shopped my ‘Counting My Blessings’ sale. You kept this girl very busy & I appreciate so your support of my little online shop. I’m hoping to expand my shop a bit this next year with lots more exclusive kits, & hopefully some exclusive little projects as well. Keep checking back to find out what’s up in my little website shop!

Things around the my backyard garden beds have been transitioning for the winter. We did get some wonderful soft rains over the weekend  & all my winter flowers plantings of violas, pansies, petunias, & decorative cabbage & kale are settling in nicely. I got the final pots planted knowing the rains were coming & now I can be where it’s cozy inside & still look out on them & enjoy their subtle sparkle they add to the garden. While several of the perennials are ready for a cutback & a winters nap - these pots become the center of interest. I just love them. 

As the end of the year approaches, I think we all start to reflect on the past year & I wanted to share one thing that has been on my mind (for most of the year actually). It is about social media… & the direction it has taken over the past few years. I’ve wanted to write this post especially because I get asked on a regular basis about my activity (or lack of!) on certain platforms, so I wanted to explain to you the direction I’m taking.

I know that everyone has their own opinion & experience of social media & the various platforms it now has, & I truly believe that each person’s preference for how they use - or don’t use - any of these to be just fine. I have found in the past few years - that while it might be a great way to reach folks - I’ve been pulling back from what it feels like are platforms that aren’t really interested in how & what we want/need from them - but rather what they determine we should (or shouldn’t) see, as well as *if* the folks who follow me actually will ever see what I post. (…very long sentence… sorry.)  That direction seems to be increasing as time goes on & as we use & become more & more ‘dependent’ on these platforms.

For some reason (a gut feeling I guess you could say) I never jumped on the Facebook ‘bandwagon’. I’ve never really been a fan of their ‘policies’.  I did create a personal account & I also created a business page (I’ve since taken down the business page) - but it’s only because I’m in a private group where the company has chosen to communicate to the folks in it through that private page on Facebook.  It’s the only reason I still keep the personal page. So… if you ask to follow, friend, (or whatever it’s called on Facebook) please don’t be offended if I don’t respond. I only go to Facebook to check to see if there is a post on the private group page. (I actually don’t post, comment, or click on anything on Facebook anymore.)

The only other social media platform I’m still on is Instagram. I have a personal page (@brengr) & a business page (@brendariddledesigns) & hopefully some of you found this post because of the post I did on Instagram letting folks know that there is a new journal/blog post. (… & if you did - I’d love it if you would let me know in the comments that you did!). 

I remember (many years ago!) when I first learned of Instagram, & created my personal account & I actually thought it was simply a place to store my own photo memories. I had no idea that others would be able to see my page! (Ha-ha!) I had someone ‘like’ one of my photos & I was so surprised!  I really did enjoy Instagram in its early years. You could follow people & when you opened up your feed page you would see what all the folks you followed had posted in chronological order! It was bliss. You knew when you were caught up & that when you posted something - you knew that folks could see it.  Fast-forward to today & the direction it has now gone - eliminating seeing things in chronological order & then adopting algorithms that now decides what you will see… when you *might* see it… & now I’ve come to realize that I can ‘like’ a photo & later it shows it to me again & it’s as if I’ve never ‘liked’ it. On top of that there is the ‘pressure’ to pay to “boost” a post (which means pay to have your post seen by those who follow you & also to those who don’t.). There have become so may ‘hoops’ to jump through just to use the platform in a meaningful, sensible way.  And, once Facebook (now called “Meta”) has taken over Instagram - it has just become worse. It’s not user friendly…at all.

I’ve reduced all of my social media accounts & I’m still considering leaving Instagram - but for now, I’m keeping it mostly to (ironically) notify folks that I’ve posted a new journal/blog post.

Here, on my journal/blog pages, is where I can control what goes out on the internet. I know that if I post it - those that want to see it will be able to. The ‘sticky’ part of this is though, is that so many have become accustomed to going to one place, like IG… & maybe only want to see a photo or two & very little words…(!)  (Oh my… then those folks would not be a fan of a post like this!!!)  I know that it’s not everyone’s ‘cup of tea’ - but this is where I’ve decided to plant myself. I want it to be more like inviting someone over for a little visit, chat, rather than choose to meet folks on a busy crowded street corner - where we may or may not be able to find each other no matter how hard we try.

So, I’ll be keeping my Instagram account for now - but this, & my newsletter, is where I’ll be doing the majority of my communicating & sharing from now on. So I hope you’ll visit often! (I use feedly.com to follow the blog posts of folks I want to be sure to keep up with, & I’ve really enjoyed it.)  I’ll also be updating (on a more regular basis… I’m a little behind!) - my Pinterest account. (I’m @brendariddledesigns (https://www.pinterest.com/brendariddledesigns/ ) on Pinterest)

So… there you have it. All my thoughts about how I’m choosing to navigate the ever-changing world of social media. I know to some it may seem as if I’m taking a step backwards - but I’m okay with that. For me the current direction most of these social media platforms are taking aren’t the direction I want to go or be a part of. I’ll just snuggle in to the places where I can host folks myself & hope you come to visit. :-)

And, as a thank you for hanging there & reading this lengthy post - I want to offer you a discount code to the website! Whether you want to treat yourself, or get a gift for another quilter/stitcher you know, or get a kit for a new project for the new year… just use the code (at checkout)  SNUGGLE-IN  (all caps) for 20% off everything on the website. (This discount code will be available through the end of December!)

From the bottom of my heart, thanks so much for being here… (& reading this to the end!) … I’m looking forward to meeting you here again soon!

♥ Bren

:: Coming Up For Air

I looked back at the last date I posted a journal entry… & ugh… For a girl who has the goal of posting more regularly… I’ve pretty much blown that so far this year. But, I’m still trying… honest!

So much has been going on & I have so much to post about… so I’ll give you a little outline of things to come…

 

• New Patterns!  - a few months ago I posted about my latest collections - ‘The Shores’ & ‘Sweet Liberty’ - but I never got back with the patterns I released with these collections. They are currently on the website - & you can find them under ‘New Items’ - but I’ll be back to feature them here. (… but a little heads-up… a sale is coming soon!)

• I just sent in a new fabric collection - in fact two new fabric collections!… (which is where the title of this post came from…!) & thought it might be fun for you to know what my process for creating a fabric collection is… so I’ll be putting that together.

• The yardage of my collection ‘The Shores’ has been shipping from Moda this week - so I have some of the pre-cuts & an exclusive kit or two (or three!) up on the website now.  (** For those of you who pre-ordered the Moda boxed quilt kit for ‘Prisms’… you are receiving an email about getting your boxed kits to you. (They are sooo pretty!)

• I am (finally!) getting new scrap bundles prepared & on the website! I’ve got several collections - just waiting to be organized & prepped - & because they can become so labor intensive to prep… I’ve come up with a way to make them available that I hope you will love! (i.e. - more bundles - & more fabric variety!) I’m planning to have these ready in time for my ‘Counting my Blessings’ sale coming soon…very soon!

• As I just mentioned - my annual ‘Counting My Blessings’ sale is coming soon! I am trying to get a bunch of fabrics & kit prepped & will let you know the exact dates very very soon! (It will be in early/mid November!!!)

• I have also been doing a lot of thinking about social media lately & the direction it has taken. I have had some definite thoughts about it & I want to share with you the direction I will be taking with it.

So,  for now - I hope you will be assured I haven’t fallen off the face of the earth… I’ve just been hunkering down with some business projects & home projects… But I’m still here… (even though it light not seem like it!)… & I’m really going to try to be more present here in my journal/blog.

For the rest of today - I’m off to mow my little lawn (& the new winter grass that has come in!) & plant some of my favorite winter flowers. I love this time of year. I’m in zone 9b (for you gardeners) - so now that the summer heat has subsided - all of my perennial flowering plants are perking back up with a new flush of blooms (I’m looking at you geraniums & pincushion flowers!) & it’s so fun to add new annuals to the mix.

Hope you have a wonderful start to November (one of my favorite months!) & I’ll leave you with my little garden ‘helper’ & I’ll be back… soon!     

 ♥️  Bren

Blockheads 4 - Gentleman's Fancy

 Hi Folks! -

I’ve followed the Blockheads sew-a-long in the past years, so I was so pleased to be invited to add a block this time around!  My block is called ‘Gentleman’s Fancy’ & I chose it in honor of my Dad. 

One of the words that folks used to describe my Dad was ‘dapper’ & so this block seemed perfect!  (When I was a little girl, my Dad was actually chosen as one of the best dressed businessmen in San Diego, & I remember a newspaper article & they had him ‘model suits, for photos for the article!) 

 Even into his ‘sunset’ years, he still was a snappy dresser.

 

I chose to use some of the fabrics from my upcoming ‘The Shores’ fabric collection, & I’m so excited to see all of the versions that folks create! I love that Moda gives options for each blocks… & now I want to make it in all the options!  You can find the ‘Gentleman’s Fancy’ block here  -  https://my.modafabrics.com/webfiles/bh4_23_brenda-riddle_gentlemans-fancy.pdf

I hope you have fun making your ‘Gentleman’s Fancy’ block!   

💙  Bren

Summer Days (...already!)

After writing my last post (about my fabric collection ‘Grace’ finally arriving in shops) (back in December!) - I was determined to post at least once a month…

Then, after starting the year with a welcome visit from my brother (Scott) & his wife (Jodi) in January… another visitor (Covid) decided to join in & their 4 day visit turned into 2 weeks, Now, I have to admit that I secretly loved having them stay longer, but I felt so bad for them. I finally succumbed to the uninvited virus about a week into their visit - even though we had divided the house into basically two parts. For the first week, I got to be the ‘nurse’ & the ‘chef’… as the kitchen was on ‘my side’ of the house. My favorite memory of the whole thing was when I finally tested positive - (I tested negative for the first week) - the first thing Scott said was, “Kitchen’s open!!”  (It did make it so much easier when we could all access all of the house…)

I didn’t really have any major symptoms while I tested positive, but boy… the tired & exhausted feelings lasted for weeks after. All I wanted (& could) do was nap… I think I slept more during that time than I had for months prior. My ability to focus was not showing up… & so once I did start to get back to normal - I was greeted by many looming deadlines. (eek!)

So, that’s pretty much been what’s been happening all spring & early summer. I’m now finally feeling much more caught up - business wise… but my list of projects around the house is one that I haven’t made much of a dent in so far this year. But, I’ll keep working on all the little projects that are a constant ‘companion’(!)

The fun news is - is that since my last post, my fabric collection ‘Cottage Linen Closet' arrived in shops & another collection, ‘The Shores’ was introduced in the early spring & is now being printed as I write this. ‘The Shores’ is what I think of as a ‘follow-up’ collection to Dover. It has the same color ways with a little touch of a soft yellow. I’ve been having fun playing with the sample fabrics. ‘The Shores’ is scheduled to ship in late November 2022.

(click on logo to see the entire collection)

Also - Moda decided to introduce the collection I created for Fall Market-time - this summer!! (A big surprise to me!)

It’s called ‘Sweet Liberty’, & it’s a new take on a patriotic collection. Actually, what I wanted was a collection that would evoke a softened, faded, well-worn & well-loved prints that celebrate the longstanding blessings of our nation.  ‘Sweet Liberty’ is scheduled to ship in February 2023.

(click on logo to see the entire collection)

 

So… with new collections - come new patterns & I’ll be back to first share the four patterns for ‘The Shores’… & then the four patterns for Sweet Liberty.  I’ve had a lot of fun designing all of them & I’m so looking forward to giving you some of the backstory for them…! 

Until then - I hope you are taking good care & while you’re at it… Emmie wants me to be sure to tell you to give your furry kids some extra loves!

 

 

♥︎  Bren

(OH…!!!  I almost forgot! - I had so much fun with the summer sale that just ended… (Wow, you all kept me so busy!) Well, I decided that because it was so much fun - I wanted to extend it for all of my journal/blog readers. Just for you - there will be 20% off all items through the end of August - just be sure to use the code SUMMER20 when you checkout. I just wanted to thank you for visiting & to let you know how much you mean to me! ♥︎)

:: Grace is (finally) Here!

 After quite the journey - my Grace collection has finally made it to the U.S. (!!!)

Grace was scheduled to arrive this past August... but she - along with so many other items sat off the California shore for months just waiting to make her way to Moda... & then to us!  (I actually started waving to my TV screen whenever the news would show all the shops sitting off the coast  - & said "Hi!" to Grace...I knew she was out there somewhere!)

I have a limited amount of the pre-cuts for Grace (fat-quarter bundles, fat-eighth bundles, Layer Cakes, Jelly Rolls, Charm packs, & Mini-charm packs) listed on the website - so if you've been waiting - now's your chance!  I will also be making & adding some Grace gingham bundles (half-yard & fat-quarter bundles) to the website in the next few days - so be on the lookout for those too!  (If you think you might want a gingham bundle - but want to secure your other pre-cut(s) - just add a note to your order letting me know & I can hold your order & ship everything together.)

The patterns for the quilts I designed using Grace (Grace, Fresh Picked, Emmie, & Coming Home) are also all available on the website - in both paper &/or PDF versions. (More info about these designs in my previous post.)

So, while we all were waiting for 'Grace' to arrive - three (yep! ...three!) new fabric collections were designed & born, and are in various stages of production in the very skilled hands of Moda. I want to give a big shout-out to Moda for all the ways they have been so pro-active to make sure they do everything they can to get the fabric collections here as soon as possible. They have been amazing!

I hope that you had a very special Christmas celebration this year. I know that I have been so blessed as I have been reflecting on the precious gift of Jesus & of His love & sacrifice that he made for each of us. So, as this crazy year comes to a close, I feel so blessed, & I look forward to all the this upcoming fresh new year brings!

♥︎ Bren

:: Lots of Grace & Cottage Linen Closet quilts!

Today I’m back with some new patterns that have been released for a couple of months (these are the ones for my Grace collection) & then some even newer patterns that I created using my Cottage Linen Closet collection. And, while Cottage Linen Closet is just now being shown to shops (be sure to let your local quilt shop know if you want them to carry it…! Now’s the time!) - I think that all of these patterns would look great in any of my fabric collections - (or a mixture of them!)

For these first four patterns - these are the ones that feature my Grace fabric collection. I tried to use several precuts - if you are one that likes the convenience & a little head-start that some of the pre-cuts have. (But please know that you can also easily use cut yardage to make any of these too!

So here’s the ‘Grace’ patterns…!

Coming Home ~  That place that we all come home to... no matter where we my go. Sometimes it’s a home with a roof & walls, sometimes it’s a group of friends, & often times it’s with family. ‘Coming Home’ reminds me of coming back home... in big & small ways, and celebrating the homecomings our hearts long for.

Coming Home quilt measures 87” x 87”.

Emmie ~  You just know that I would need to have a quilt named Emmie sooner or later! I chose this sweet star flower design because it was just so cheerful & sweet… & well that fits my Emmie perfectly! There are three options & two sizes included in my Emmie pattern, so you can make anything from a baby quilt, table topper, wall quilt, or what I like to call a snuggle size.

Emmie quilts measure 48” x 48” (2 options) - or 60” x 60”

Grace ~  Grace. The man-made definition starts with the elegance & beauty of movement, which I have always loved about the process & choices provided when assembling log cabin blocks. This design celebrates this process.

But there’s more to ‘Grace’... The definition doesn’t end there. There is the meaning it carries of ‘grace’ being the divine, unconditional love toward a person who does not deserve it. It goes hand-in-hand with mercy. Blessings this quilt design will always remind me of. I like to think of the light & color sections working hand-in-hand... a reminder of the grace - & mercy - we all need.

Grace quilt measures 72” x 72” & uses a jelly roll (2 1/2” strips & some accent fabrics).

Fresh Picked ~  Right up there with having a needle, or a paintbrush in my hand, is having a garden trowel or pruners for my newfound love of gardening. (Especially the joy of growing (& gathering!) flowers.) ‘Fresh Picked ’ celebrates the gathering of flowers & the enjoying all the things we love to do with the works of our hands!

Fresh Picked measures 78” x 78” 

… & for the latest patterns that I designed using Cottage Linen Closet - they are designs that are classics designs & remind me of those quilts that lived on our linen closet shelves & blew in the fresh air on the clothesline. While the original quilts we are up with were ‘loved’ until they were no more - the quilts I make from these patterns will definitely be ones that live on my linen closet shelves (when not on my beds or on display!) 

Lily Corners ~  One of the quilts in the linen closet as I grew up was made by my Grandma Floye - who was a hand-quilter - & while growing up - I never knew that quilt designs had names, I remember, when I was older, a conversation with Grandma about the quilt. It was a favorite & was one that was well-worn (almost threadbare at that point of time) & she let me know that it was called ‘Lily Corners’... although she new it had another name... she couldn’t remember the name anymore. But she told me she liked the name ‘Lily Corners’ best anyway... (She was a gardener & loved her flower garden.) I love the idea of quilts & flowers together - so I give you Lily Corners!

Lily Corners quilt measures 88” x 88”

Serenity ~   This quilt design is one that was inspired by a vintage quilt top that my Mom had while I was growing up - but it never was quilted. It lived in the linen closet with all of the quilts my grandmas had made - & even though it never was completed, I always loved it. It looked so airy & cozy. So, I made this version to honor that beautiful quilt top.

Serenity quilt measures 66” x 66”

Sentimental Nines ~  It’s not a big secret... I love me a good nine patch quilt. There were several in my Mom’s linen closet (& all well-’loved’). I love the simplicity of them & the movement they bring to a quilt design, & when it came time to design my own... I couldn’t make up my mind as to the size & style... so I included several options, & while I made them very scrappy - they would all look amazing as two color quilts as well. I hope you love them as much as I do!

Sentimental Nines quilts measure - A - 66” x 66”, B - 42” x 42”, C - 90” x 90”, D - 57” x 57”

The Picnic ~  One of the quilts I grew up with was always the one that my Mom would use for church picnics & outings. I remember it having one main fabric in the middle & patchwork ‘diamonds’ on the edges... & I always thought it was so special.As I learned more about quilting, I came to recognize the quilt center as a ‘whole-cloth’ quilt (where the quilting can shine!) & while the quilt from the linen closet had scalloped edges, I’ve streamlined & simplified this version, & show two fabric options.

The Picnic quilt measures 54” x 73”

So there you have it… the news designs! (whew!) All of them are available on the website in paper & PDF versions. (link to website in left-side column.)

(… & just a little heads up - I will be posting some pre-orders of some Cottage Linen Closet pre-cuts & kits in the next couple of days…) (whew again!)

I hope you have a great beginning of your week… as summer starts to make it’s exit for the year…! 🌿

♥︎ Bren

:: Cottage Linen Closet

 As I’m writing this… my newest fabric collection with Moda is being shown to quilt shops around the world. (!)  

(I know that it seems like I just wrote about a new fabric collection, ‘Grace’ , & I wanted to give you the update that as with so many of the fabric collections this year - there is a delay in Grace arriving. From the slowdowns at the mills - to the shipping process (wait times at ports & then customs) … delays have been more the rule rather than the exception. SO… the delivery time for ‘Grace’ is now looking to be October… (about 2 months later than originally planned.) And, just so you know - Moda has been very pro-active about the reality of delays & have moved up debut times for collections - so that hopefully we can try to gain a little ground with all the delays (that we can’t control). So - if it feels like you’re seeing new collections a little faster lately… that’s why!)

So - with all that… I am personally so excited to introduce to you my newest fabric collection - Cottage Linen Closet!

This collection is so very special to me.

Whenever I would be asked to write a bio about myself for a book, website, workshop/class, etc…, I have always started by quilting experience (& my love of quilts) back to the quilts we had when I was a little girl. Here’s a little bit of what’s written…

“Then there were the beautiful patchwork quilts that my grandmas had made that Mom kept on the higher shelves in the linen closet. They were a little higher than I could reach but I would always take a peek at them whenever I was asked to get something for my Mom from the lower shelves or when putting away the towels while “helping’” my Mom fold the laundry. (True confession… I still like the process of folding laundry.) The quilts were saved for special occasions, when snuggling and comfort was especially needed – like a cold or just those times when my Mom knew that getting cuddled while wrapped in one of the quilts would help make everything little better. She was so right, they still have that effect on me.”

Those quilts… the softness of them, the faded colors (from years of them being hung on the clothesline to dry in the fresh air) are the inspiration for the quilts I design & designing fabrics as well. With Cottage Linen Closet - I set out to try to capture the feel of those quilts & the soft, cozy, & (albeit a little faded) colors of those quilts. It’s what I’ve had going around in my imagination for all the years I’ve designed quilts. 

I hope that you will embrace & surround yourself with the colors, & comfy feel of Cottage Linen Closet fabrics - as they are or as a starting point for creating cozy heirlooms for your family & loved ones.

(And, be sure to let your local quilt shop know that you would like for them to carry  Cottage Linen Closet in their shop! Moda is taking orders now!)  (Cottage Linen Closet is scheduled to arrive in quilt shops January 2022.)

Tomorrow, I’ll be back with a bunch of new patterns that I’ve designed using both my ‘Cottage Linen Closet’ collection & also my ‘Grace’ collection.

Here’s to all the comfy, cozy & clean fresh air feels!

♥︎  Bren